Portable refrigerator



0a. 13, 1936. E A, KORINSKY 2,057,036

PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR Filed May 5, 1955 /Z /1 E l Patented Oct. 13, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention pertains to a novel portable refrigerator suitable especially for use in camping and picnicking and of such size that it may readily be carried in the rear compartment of an automobile.

One of the objects of the invention is to pro-,

vide such a refrigerator without protruding parts, such as a spout or the like, which would interfere with the placing of a refrigerator in an automobile and which might cause injury to persons handling it. Another object of the invention is to provide a camping refrigerator without an external drain, so that there will be no dripping or leaking into the vehicle in which the device is carried. In connection with this object, still another object is to make use of the water developed by the melting ice.

Bottled drinks, such as beer, are better cooled in ice water than on ice alone. According to this invention, a bottle compartment is provided in the bottom of the refrigerator, and the ice is permitted to drain into this compartment. This is a valuable feature in a portable refrigerator since bottled drinks are an important part of picnic lunches.

The novel refrigerator comprises a box provided with a hinged top. Within the box is mounted a food receptacle extending the entire width and about three-fourths of the length of 0 the outer box and spaced from the bottom of the box to form a bottle compartment. In the remaining length of the outer box is mounted an ice receptacle which drains directly into the bottle compartment, thereby furnishing. the ice water which is preferred in the cooling of bottled beverages. Both receptacles are removable from the outer box, and when they have been removed, the outer box may be drained by merely tipping it over, as it is not very heavy.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a plan section of the refrigerator taken beneath the cover;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a detail section on the line 4-4 of 50 Figure 2.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The outer box of the refrigerator is designated by the numeral l and is a double walled member packed with any suitable insulation indicated by the numeral 2. Access to the box is had preferably through an open top which is equipped with a cover 3 hinged at 4 and provided with a snap lock 5 at its forward edge.

Within the outer box is mounted a food receptacle 6 extending substantially the entire width of the outer box and about three-fourths of the length thereof as shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2. The receptacle 6 is preferably made of 1c sheet metal and is removably suspended in a manner presently to be described. Moreover, it is spaced from the bottom of the outer box to form a bottle compartment 1. This compartment may be of any desired height, but is preferl5 ably of such height as to accommodate the diameter of the bottles likely to be carried. In the embodiment illustrated, six bottles 8 may be laid. side by side, and the refrigerator may be built in various sizes to accommodate more or less bottles. 20

In the space 9 remaining between the inner end of the receptacle 6 and the nearer end wall of the outer box, is mounted an ice receptacle l0 that is ordinarily shallower than the receptacle 5, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. For the purpose of' supporting the ice receptacle, angle brackets I l are attached to the from; and rear walls of the outer box i and at the inner surfaces thereof. Complementary angle brackets I! are carried by the ends of the receptacle I0 30 and rest on the brackets I I.

The food receptacle 6 is supported in somewhat similar fashion. The end nearer the receptacle ID has a curved lip l3 attached thereto and hanging on the adjacent upper edge of the receptacle 35 Ill. The opposite end wall of the receptacle 6 carries a pair of angle brackets l4 resting on angle pieces l5 secured to the adjacent inner wall of the outer box I This supporting means is similar to that used for the ice receptacle i0 and 40 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

In the use of the device, if bottles are to be carried therein, the receptacles 6 and III are removed so that the bottles' may be laid as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The receptacle l0 contain- 5 ing ice is then mounted in position. The food receptacle 6, owing to its removability, may be packed with food before being mounted in the box I, if this is more convenient. In any event, it is mounted on its supports in the manner already described, and the cover 3 is then brought down and latched at 5.

The melting ice drains through a hole IS in the bottom of the receptacle I0 and drips to the bottom of the box I where it comes into contact with the bottles 8. If desired, additional ice water may be poured into the bottom of the box I or cracked ice may be thrown into it before mounting the receptacles 6 and 8, or additional water may be poured in, after mounting, through the receptacle l0.

Owing to the absence of leakage from the outer box and the absence of an outside projecting spout, the refrigerator can conveniently be loaded into and carried in the rear compartment of an automobile. Obviously, it may be furnished in sizes suitable to this purpose. Inasmuch as the device is small and light, it is easily drained, after being emptied, by merely being inverted.

The relative positions of the food receptacle 6 and ice receptacle i and the spacing between them and at the sides of the outer box are such that ample circulation and cooling are available for the contents of the food receptacle. Moreover, the contents are always maintained in a dry condition because of the separateness of the ice receptacle.

The various parts of the box are easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition since they are easily removed for washing. The interior of the food receptacle is preferably painted with white enamel.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

, 1. A portable refrigerator comprising an outer box having a cover and a drainless bottom, an ice receptacle removably mounted on the inner walls of said box and spaced from the bottom thereof, said receptacle having a drain hole adapted to discharge into the bottom of said box, and a food receptacle removably mounted on an inner wall of said box and on an edge of said ice receptacle,

and also spaced from the bottom of said box, the

space between the bottom of said box and the bottoms of said receptacles being at least of suflicient height to accommodate the diameter of a beverage bottle.

2. A portable refrigerator comprising an outer box having a cover and a drainless bottom, brackets mounted on opposite inner side walls of said box, an ice receptacle received between said walls, angle brackets carried by said receptacle and adapted to rest on the first named brackets, said receptacle having a drain hole adapted to discharge into the bottom of said box, a; food receptacle disposed adjacent to said ice receptacle and. removably supported on an end wall of said box and on an edge of said ice receptacle, said food receptacle being also spaced from the bottom of said box, the space between the bottom of said box and the bottom of said receptacles being at.

least of suflicient height to accommodate the diameter of a beverage bottle.

3. A portable refrigerator comprising an outer box having a cover and a drainless bottom, brackets mounted on opposite inner side walls of said box, an ice receptacle received between said walls, angle brackets carried by said receptacle and adapted to rest on the first named brackets, said receptacle having a drain hole adapted to discharge into the bottom of said box, a food receptacle disposed adjacent to said ice receptacle, brackets mounted on an inner wall of said box, angle brackets, carried by the adjacent end wall of said food receptacle and resting on the last named brackets, a curved lip carried by the other end wall of said food receptacle and resting on the adjacent edge of said ice receptacle, said food receptacle being also spaced from the bottom of said box, the space between the bottom of said box and the bottom of said receptacles being atleast of suflicient height to accommodate the diameter of a beverage bottle.

ABRAM KORINSKY. 

